I read this in the New Zealand Herald when it was first published. This is not intended to be a joke, it was something I remembered about Hoodies when they became a focus as an icon in the Trayvon Martin case. Just something to consider while we are embracing Trayvon.
I congratulate the Black Community for coming together over Trayvon and his family. The chilling truth is the racism. It is real. It is palpable.
Without completely victimizing the nation of majority in the USA, there are significant problems within our minority populations. We cannot be fatigued of that reality. Our minorities are in prison more frequently and they have a high recidivism rate.
Stereotypes are Black Men are criminals and Hispanics are Anchor Babies and Illegal Immigrants. That has to stop. All those labels are victimizing. Undeserved. I don't see any references in that manner anywhere in the media as legitimate so much as bigoted speech, hate speech.
Trayvon was an achiever. He had a family that dearly loved him. He has been removed from us and completely without justification. We know there were statements made to police that 'classified' him and facilitated his death. Those that classify people are dangerous. Very dangerous. We also know police gave a gunman an order to 'stand down' from pursuit. There are crimes within that understanding. Hate. Disregard of authority.
Every parent knows how impressionable children are to their environment. We witness it within our society with bullying. If a minority child is told in subtle ways they are unworthy of societal rewards, it answer the questions "What goes wrong?" The people of this country don't like lack of opportunity when their roots are from the Middle Class. But, the country can no longer continue to ignore the racism existing among our minorities. It isn't enough to have achievers among us, it has to be balanced with an equal percentage of achievement across the minority population in our country.
When I reflect on any time I needed police to help me in life it was because I offered my obedience to their statements. I respected their authority and understanding as to what was the best outcomes for me. The laws in question remove that respect of authority. They displace authority in the hands of those with prejudice, bias and hate. They are wrong beyond any rationalizing otherwise.
My condolences to Trayvon's family, friends and community. Also to Reverend Al Sharpton for the loss of his mother and his bravery to continue the fight for equality and justice. He is selfless. He is priceless and so was Trayvon.
We haven't found the answers, Trayvon. We need to continue to try. I want him back, I really want him back.
Thursday, November 16, 2006
I congratulate the Black Community for coming together over Trayvon and his family. The chilling truth is the racism. It is real. It is palpable.
Without completely victimizing the nation of majority in the USA, there are significant problems within our minority populations. We cannot be fatigued of that reality. Our minorities are in prison more frequently and they have a high recidivism rate.
Stereotypes are Black Men are criminals and Hispanics are Anchor Babies and Illegal Immigrants. That has to stop. All those labels are victimizing. Undeserved. I don't see any references in that manner anywhere in the media as legitimate so much as bigoted speech, hate speech.
Trayvon was an achiever. He had a family that dearly loved him. He has been removed from us and completely without justification. We know there were statements made to police that 'classified' him and facilitated his death. Those that classify people are dangerous. Very dangerous. We also know police gave a gunman an order to 'stand down' from pursuit. There are crimes within that understanding. Hate. Disregard of authority.
Every parent knows how impressionable children are to their environment. We witness it within our society with bullying. If a minority child is told in subtle ways they are unworthy of societal rewards, it answer the questions "What goes wrong?" The people of this country don't like lack of opportunity when their roots are from the Middle Class. But, the country can no longer continue to ignore the racism existing among our minorities. It isn't enough to have achievers among us, it has to be balanced with an equal percentage of achievement across the minority population in our country.
When I reflect on any time I needed police to help me in life it was because I offered my obedience to their statements. I respected their authority and understanding as to what was the best outcomes for me. The laws in question remove that respect of authority. They displace authority in the hands of those with prejudice, bias and hate. They are wrong beyond any rationalizing otherwise.
My condolences to Trayvon's family, friends and community. Also to Reverend Al Sharpton for the loss of his mother and his bravery to continue the fight for equality and justice. He is selfless. He is priceless and so was Trayvon.
We haven't found the answers, Trayvon. We need to continue to try. I want him back, I really want him back.
Thursday, November 16, 2006
...Dr Twentyman said: (click title to entry - thank you) "It's the hoodies and the hats and the downward glance of the teenagers, shading your face all the time." (click title to entry - thank you)
Dr Twentyman said that every young person that he had tested showed a deficiency of vitamin D. Vitamin D helps vital minerals to be absorbed into the bones. Vitamin D is given to our body from the sun. "A lot of these kids stay away from sunshine. They don't hang out at the beach or in the bush. Some are into drugs and alcohol and a lot of it is indoor activity and night-time activity. They sleep during the day. They are wearing those hoods and literally they don't get out in the sun."
Even though vitamin D is usually absorbed through sun it can also be found in: fatty fish, liver, eggs, full fat milk and butter....
